Biodiversity studies at Central Mindanao University

A. C. Alcala

Sun, Apr 21, 2013

Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Bukidnon is an example of a state university that is in the forefront of
biodiversity research.
This is largely due to the efforts of Dr. Victor B. Amoroso, who is a professor on the faculty of the Department of
Biology. Dr. Amoroso is a specialist and authority on the ferns of the Philippines. He has written several papers and
has co-authored a pictorial guide on ferns of the Philippines. He has organized several international conferences on
ferns, and has attended several international conferences on his specialty.
Together with other botanists from the University of the Philippines, he has been active in long-term monitoring of and
research on medium altitude mid-mountain forest plots in various parts of the country.
At present, he is leading a number of studies on biodiversity on the island of Mindanao, and is collaborating with a
number of fern specialists from various academic institutions in the Philippines and abroad.
Dr. Amoroso was recipient of the Outstanding Sillimanian Award years ago because of his achievements in the field of
plant biodiversity. Furthermore, DOST has given him a distinguished professional title of Scientist III; and NAST
recognized him as Outstanding Young Scientist in the field of Botany.
On top of his teaching, he has been instrumental in accessing funding for the research program of CMU, where he
serves not only as teacher but also as mentor for a number of students taking their masters and Ph.D. degrees.
He has successfully negotiated grants for infrastructure from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural
Research (DA-BAR) and from the Commission on Higher Education. One of these buildings (funded by DA-BAR) is the
Center for Biodiversity Research & Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM) which is now functional, and the other one funded
by the CHED, the Natural Science Research Center (NSRC), is being constructed.
In addition, he has developed a fern garden on the campus, and a natural history museum. He is proud in showing off
this garden to university guests, and I can see why.
This garden has practically all the species of ferns from Mindanao and other places in the Philippines. It includes
species that are threatened and/or endemic, and are of economic importance. Many of those species have unique and
interesting features, and are popular with the public as ornamental plants. I believe this fern garden is the only one of
its kind in the Philippines.
In addition, he has established a natural history museum, where he deposits examples of fern species and other plant
species he and his Mindanao researchers have studied.
We can learn from the life and works of Dr. Victor B. Amoroso. First, he is a quiet, unassuming person who relates well
with his biologist-friends, and is well regarded by many people. Secondly, he works hard at his specialty, and goes out
of his way to help those in need of advice and mentorship, especially students aspiring for higher academic degrees.
Thirdly, he tirelessly conducts research on his chosen field of specialty, and thus, continues to improve the reputation
of his University. The University in turn supports him in his research program on biodiversity, which is a priority field of
study these days.